吴敏霞:书写奥运跳水历史

Wu Minxia ended her record-setting Olympic career the way it began: with a gold medal.

Wu, together with partner Shi Tingmao, won the women's synchronized 3 meter springboard gold medal with five flawless dives, getting China's mighty diving squad off to a flying start on its Rio campaign while becoming the most decorated woman in the sport's history.

She chose the word "Great" to describe herself.

"I think I am considered to be pretty 'great'. Really, I never thought I would have persisted for such a long time. It's really not easy. It is the dream that has encouraged me to persist and try my best."

With the 345.6-point final performance, Wu became the first woman to win a gold medal in four consecutive Olympics and the oldest female to win an Olympic diving gold medal at the age of 30.

"Today, we both worked hard shoulder by shoulder and shared the same spirit, which allowed us to perform so well. I think we are really wonderful."

Wu claimed her fourth consecutive gold in 3-meter synchro, becoming the first woman to win four golds in the same event at the Olympics. She also won in 2004, 2008 and 2012, and has had three different partners.

Wu also made history as the first diver to win five career golds, having won the 3-meter individual event four years ago in London. She won't defend that title in Rio and hinted she will retire after Rio.

"Actually, I kept imagining what it would be like at end. But the last game was really too fast for me to experience my own feelings. We Just tried our best to do every action perfectly, I feel, we are indeed the best."

Despite pride and honor she experiences under the spotlight, Wu needs more therapy time to recover from training, so she returns home from the training facility almost every day.

Leaving the Olympic stage as a legend, Wu has earned credits from opponents and the younger generation, including Italian diver Tania Cagnotto, who won the silver medal in the event with partner Francesca Dallape.

Wu's partner Shi Tingmao, who is six years younger, said practicing side-by-side with "sister Xia" and looking up to her offers a big inspiration to pursue more glory on her own.

"I think the most important reason for us to win is that we are very united. We have overcome all the difficulties we have faced."

After retiring from competition, Wu said she plans to return to college for a sports-related postgraduate program and continue her post-athletic career around the event.

"I will keep my eyes on the Chinese diving team."

For CRI, I am Chi Huiguang.